May 2026 Minutes

The May 2026 NCC meeting was chaired by John Muir @ Newbattle Community Learning Centre. The Newtongrange Community Council meeting covered a range of local issues, with primary focus on centenary event planning for Newtongrange Welfare Park. Substantial discussion centered on the safeguarded route and Crawlees Road traffic concerns. It also captured community concerns and on-going issues, other issues discussed was the police report, fence painting and maintenance issues Pool Site, local issues and correspondence.

1. Welcome and introductions – 
   1. Apologies: Jeremy Adderley, Rebecca McCosh, June Robertson, Sandy Howden. Betty Wilson
   2. Chair welcomed Paul Johnson (Midlothian Council CLLE) who wanted to inform NCC members of the new Midlothian Community Council code of conduct, changes to NCC constitution to be agreed at June meeting and NCC What is involved? documents

1. Previous minutes –April 2026 minutes : approved by IH – seconded by LL after small amendment.
2. Matters arising
   
   1. Need for agreement on the changes to NCC Constitution in June 2026 (to be agreed at special meeting at start of June meeting – with signed copy left addressed to PJ)
   2. Paul Johnson to ask at next MFCC meeting about in person/hybrid solutions i.e come to Newbattle Community Learning Centre for meetings. The AGM is usually in person.
   3. Chair to inform meeting of response from Kevin Anderson/Clr Scott regarding spend for Centenary event from Midlothian Council £5,000.
   4. Planning Committee verdict from Item 5.1 8/6/26 what next? Meeting discussed the removal of scrub land in the area previous designated as safeguarding route. Other matters discussed was how can communities appeal decisions if deemed necessary and development contribution issues. 
   5. Paul Johnson suggested that Chair should consider writing to Robert Hogg, MFF Chair regarding in person/hybrid option.
   6. Chair or JM to communicate with NCC regarding discussions with Robert Hogg, MFCC/Mayfield Community Council Chair about safeguarded route 
   7.  Clr. B update on the war memorial names project.
   8. RM to follow up with Tam to clarify that the flying fox structure is steel (not wooden) and get a response on alternatives.
   9. Clr B to ask the next Dean Tavern Trust meeting about the outcome of the disabled access compliance check (and their plans for addressing the double door entry issue i.e pads for doors)
   10. JR created a map of the park showing proposed placements for the stage, market stalls, running track, and other elements for the centenary event, and once ready for RA/JA to share with the council.
   11. RM to contact Flora to confirm she will judge the gardening competition again this year.
   12. RM to create poster for the gardening competition to display at the library and distribute around the village.
   13. Paul Johnson to check with BT about Main St, Phonebox removal.
3. Police report –   RA sent to Members & Councillors. A question was raised what is the neccessary criteria to report an accident.
4. Code of conduct – PJ informed meeting about new Midlothian Community Council code of conduct that was agreed by elected members in April 2025, there has been changes to NCC constitution (to be agreed at special meeting at start of June meeting – with signed copy left addressed to PJ) and NCC What is involved? documents. New members to get induction pack. Action for RA to check links to see if the documents are working. With the code of conduct there is a need to adhere to it, act in the interests & represent the views of all the community. PJ highlighted the need for caution regarding allocation of funds etc. You have to be transparent when you have a declaration of interest (i.e remove yourself from vote) and the need to respect everyone attending NCC meetings. PJ also highlighted the Midlothian Community Council Complaint form.
5. Single Midlothian Plan 2027 – 2030 – https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/news/article/4070/residents_invited_to_shape_midlothians_future_at_community_events                                                                                                  In Person:    Newbattle Community Learning Centre – GP Room, 67 Gardiner Place, Newtongrange, Midlothian, EH22 4RT: Mon 8th, 6.30pm – 8.30pm & Wed 24th, 1pm – 3pm   Online Session: (on Teams – register via email community.planning@midlothian.gov.uk): Wed 17th, 10.30am – 12 noon
6. Newtongrange Welfare Park Centenary –  SG has updated on Easthouses Army Cadets march display, Scout involvement and reaching out to the Air cadets. Action to get layout map completed for next meeting and oak tree planting date to be confirmed. It was felt that we needed to ensure Newtongrange Primary School teachers are aware of the event along with the PTA/PTC. , NC1 to provide 100 mementoes, Gorebridge Community Choir to be invited. Reach out to ATS, Gymnastic club, Be Happy Performing Arts, Costings needed before we get banner. Action for Clr S ti check how to access & spend £5.000.  RM to ask Flora about suggestion for having a garden fruit/veg competition incorporated for centenary event. Clr Scott has kindly agreed to be the third judge for the competition. The centenary main event will run from 2pm to 5pm (3 hours total) to keep it manageable and prevent it from turning into an evening party. Although 1pm will be for food stalls, stall holders and shows. The stage will be positioned in front of the rockery, games area near two beech trees, and stalls along the blossom tree avenue. The council will mark out a running track for sack races and traditional games. The event will be pitched as an ‘afternoon tea in the park’ with a gentle, vintage feel, encouraging bring-your-own picnics. The pavilion may offer sandwiches and scones to support the theme. Entertainment includes the Midlothian Community Band and Newtongrange Silver band (Junior/Main band) with about three hours of programming, plus consideration of the British Community Choir. The event will honor older residents including looking to invite one who is 101 and another who is 90 & no the village extremely well. Multiple organizations confirmed to have stalls at the centenary event: NC1, Eco Museum, Mining Museum, and the community garden and expect more requests Army cadets from Easthouses looking to participate in the centenary event, potentially performing a marching display. Newtongrange Community First considering the provision of refreshments, with various village organizations invited to take fundraising stalls ideally at no charge TBC. The event runs 2-5pm with burger vans and ice cream vans, with pricing arrangements being negotiated. Arrangements being made to borrow 100 chairs from the high school for the event, with transport to be coordinated (possibly through Neil Williams or local transport van (Ruaridh). A coordination meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 7th at 5:15pm in the library to finalize the project plan and ensure all activities fit within the 3-hour timeframe. Looking to hold meeting in the library every second Tuesday until event. Marketing materials (banners and flyers) will prioritise getting the date publicised early, with exact timing details to be finalized and communicated later through posters and promotional materials.
7. Newtongrange Park railings. JM stressed a need for safety cones/barriers to be placed on Park Road for next phase of project. A team of people are planning to come and paint on the 9/6/26 so the priority for volunteers is stripping th epaint up to the gate on 9th Street. £2,600 donated to paint fund as of 26/6/26 with Bear Scotland and McSense £250 each nad Edinburgh Airport fund £700. JM has been in contact with the Newtongrange PTA and any additional paint can be handed over to the school for their railings. Action for JM to see if paint can be stored in the Primary School due to current lack of storage space.
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   6. Councillor Reports Clr Bowens’s report sent to members prior to meeting key points:
      

       

      • Crawlees Road

      Clr S forwarded a Gorebridge Community Council letter regarding clarification on what was the “safeguarded route” as there was some confusion to what this meant – did it mean a safe route to school or an area of land that was safeguarded for future development to the north of the Lingerwood development site.   The question of who and whether any works were being undertaken there.  This land is Council owned and it was confirmed no work had been undertaken there, other than to gain access.

       

      • School Rolls

      School rolls – as we look through the School rolls, we see how our Learning Estate is planned – it is a bit like a jig saw puzzle – fitting all the parts together to get the full picture

      Breaches – you will note from the School roll data

       

                      Newbattle High School will breach next year and continue breaching and there is no planned solution to this at the moment, despite my alerts over the last few years that this would happen and a decision would have to be made for a new High School.  A report will come to Council regarding this.

                    

      These figures DO NOT take into account any constrained sites in the proposed MLDP2 which has yet to be agreed,. In particular the large Redheugh Development of 1300, which altogether may have a very significant effect on pupil numbers for the Newbattle High School catchment area.

       

       

      Newtongrange

      • Wall at Newbattle Road – loose stone

      Greenspace team investigating this

      • Flying Fox – zip line

      Unfortunately, the older style flying foxes had to be removed due to being unserviceable and therefore not safe for use some time ago.  The cost of replacing is very high. Clr S will keep trying for this type of equipment for our parks because talking to slightly older children, much of the equipment is not exciting enough and is geared towards much younger children.

      • Centenary celebrations
      • Gorebridge Community Choir – agreed to attend
      • Fund draw down – I have asked the Director of Place how this should be carried out.

       

       

9. Planning –  Action for RM regarding proposed tree removal around 60 Lingerwood Road. 
10. AOB – Need to see if the Dean Tavern is available RA will look to book and report back.
11. Next Meeting – Tuesday 30th June 2026 6.45-8.45pm @ Dean Tavern – Halls